Means for knitting



Jan. 14, 1947. B|RM|NGHAM 2,414,353

MEANS FOR KNITTING Filed Sept. 22, 1945 316,1. 315,8, I- 'IELE.

IN VENTOR.

ORNEY.

3152181122 IYGHEM A BY Patented Jan. 14, 1947 MEANS FOR KNITTING Edward Birmingham, Berkeley, Calif.

Application September 22, 1945, Serial No. 617,959 /2 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in a means and method of knitting and has for its primary object the production of a unique needle construction, whereby knitting is made easier and faster, more uniform stitches are produced, and danger of splitting the yarn is eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to employ a novel means for transferring the knitted yarn from one needle to the other.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the grooved needle employed in the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, partly in section, of the grooved needle positioned within the tubular hook needle and disclosing to advantage the position and relationship of the two needles when the stitched yarn is transferred from the hook to the grooved needle;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the hook needle, with the detachable cap being disclosed in section;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of the grooved needle;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the grooved needle, the view being taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the detachable cap; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hook needle disclosing the position of the same in casting on, and

Fig. 8 is a similar View of the two needles showing their position when casting on a desired number of stitches.

In the present invention I have devised a combination of the art of knitting and orocheting, and I have likewise associated with a hook needle of unique construction relative to its tubular form, a distinctly constructed grooved needle.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the reference character A designates a grooved needle, while the reference character B designates a tubular hook needle. The said grooved needle A is equipped with a curved pointed end 8 and likewise has an enlarged slot 9 gradually diminishing in depth, as indicated by the numeral l0 and disclosed to advantage in Figs. 1 and 4. It will be noted that said needle A is provided with a head H.

Referring to the tubular hook needle B, it will be noted that the same has a hook l2 formed on one end thereof, while a detachable cap I3 is positioned in the opposite end. The said cap l3 is equipped with two spring legs l4 and I5, each carrying a lug It and II, respectively, adapted to be received in openings I8 and [9 formed in the needle adjacent to the top thereof.

It is obvious from the description of the construction of the detachable cap that the same may be readily detached from the needle B, and thus the needle A can be positioned, as disclosed in Fig. 2, in the needle B. Accordingly, a transfer of the completed yarn from the needle B to the needle A may be readily accomplished.

In the use of the needles to effect a combined knitting and crocheting operation, yarn is first started on the groove needle A, as in common practice. When the desired number of stitches have been cast on, the needle A is held in the left hand with the slotted or grooved side up, and the yarn is held over the first finger. The hook needle B is then positioned in the slot l0 between the first and second loop, then pushed toward the end of the needle until the hook slips out of the slot and through the loop. At this time, the loop is on the end of the needle A with the hook through it.

The next step is to hook the yarn and draw it through the loop, keeping it on the hook needle B, as in ordinary knitting. When the next stitch is taken and the hook needle B is slipped through the loop, the stitch first taken is forced back on the hook needle B, which operation will draw the yarn smooth. Each stitch in turn will be forced on in the same manner, which action will make all stitches uniform.

When a row has been completed and all the stitches are on the hook needle B, the cap it is removed from the hook needle B. The grooved needle A is then placed in the hook needle B, as disclosed in Fig. 2, and the stitches are pushed on to the grooved needle A, and the knitting is continued as before.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have devised a unique means and method of knitting which will readily accomplish the objects above set forth.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In combination, a knitting needle having an end barb, and a needle having a pointed curved extremity and a groove diminishing in depth from the outer end and capable of receiving in the groove, the barb of the knitting needle.

EDWARD BIRMINGHAM. 

